As a result of the price-rise - which come into effect on December 7 - a typical EDF customer can expect to pay £122 extra on their bills, pushing the annual cost up to £1,251.

EDF become the fifth major supplier to hike up prices for cash-strapped consumers, and it is the biggest average increase by an energy firm so far.

Company director Martin Lawrence said: "It is worth pointing out that one in five of our customers are already on competitive fixed priced tariffs and will not be affected by these price changes this winter."

That's little help for the other 80 per cent who will be affected.

The company put the blame down to the cost of wholesale energy and government charges.

One such charge is the "green tax" of mandatory energy efficiency schemes.

Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: "The latest energy price rise will leave even more customers worried about their energy bills.

"EDF Energy’s tariffs will still be slightly cheaper on average than other suppliers who have increased their prices – but this will be little comfort to those seeing a double-digit percentage rise on their bills."

The PM's spokesman called the rise "very disappointing".

Energy regulator Ofgem have previously said it would make the market "simpler, clearer and fairer" for consumers, following a call from David Cameron to simplify the confusing tariffs.

E.On now remain the only major energy supplier to not push up their prices.